Period
01/10/12 - 30/01/13
Nesting season runs from SEPTEMBER to JANUARY – Volunteers are needed for a minimum 4 week stay during these months.
Please choose a 4 week period:
October 1st – October 28th
October 29th –November 25th
November 26th – December 22nd
December 23rd – January 21st
Location
Project Kawula Basecamp, Eikwe, Western Ghana.
Project Kawula Basecamp is set in peaceful coconut groves on the south west coast of Ghana overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and nearby coral reef. Volunteers will be housed in traditional ecologically designed wooden chalets just metres from the golden sands of the nesting beach. The nesting beach stretches for miles, right into Cote D’Ivoire and even further east. At Eikwe this year we will be working closely with other local projects ad NGO’s in the area. Nearby are the forest reserves of Ankasa Nini-Suhien National Park while a little further down the coast you can find Cape Three Points, which is home to the last remaining coastal rainforest in Western Africa. Nearby on Lake Tadane is the beautiful stilt village of Nzulezo, a world heritage site and a great place for day trips.
Background Information
Volunteers can join this programme and take part in marine and turtle conservation work involving research and monitoring of nesting turtles, education and outreach.
Project Kawula will be the first specific turtle conservation volunteer project of its kind in Ghana, although various NGO’s and local hoteliers have been undertaking turtle conservation in the area over the last decade or so. The project works alongside the fishermen and local community, raising awareness and giving protection to nesting turtles and their eggs.Initial factors that gave birth to the project included the need for reduction of poaching and attempts to help lessen the financial burden on fishermen of turtle-caused net damage. By involving the community and educating them of the importance of the safe guarding the turtles for future generations and introducing them to long-term conservation and ecotourism, we hope to successfully protect these (and potentially other) internationally endangered species along the Ghanaian coast.
Through this programme we hope help the local community understand that killing the turtles and poaching the eggs needs to stop. The area is home to 5 of the worlds 7 species with the highest number of nests laid by Olive Ridleys; also found on the beaches of Western Ghana are leatherbacks and green turtles. Hawksbills and loggerheads are present in the coastal waters but have not been recorded nesting in Ghana for 25 years. Although nesting occurs sporadically year-round in the area it peaks during November and December. The area is also an important calving area and migratory route for whales and dolphins. Sperm whales can often be seen from the shore during August-February and dolphins July-November.
Duties
Volunteers are needed to work mostly on sea turtle based activities for 4 or 8-week durations (can be longer). We are happy to discuss each area of work with you and are also open to your suggestions and welcome students with research ideas.
Activities include:
Nightly beach patrols (4-6 hrs per night covering 5-15km) beginning at varying hours, to monitor and protect any nesting/hatching activity.
Assisting in scientific/biometric data collection and monitoring of nesting sea turtles
Hatchery management (nest relocations, hatchling release and nest excavations)
Environmental education classes at local schools, talks given to guests at local hotels Working alongside a team of local staff, volunteers will assist in work involving local communities, raising awareness of turtles and other important environmental issues.
Light pollution surveys
GPS mapping
Evaluation of the potentials of community driven ecotourism in Eikwe and surrounding villages
Research data analysis
Guided walks with tourists and presentations to be shown during peak tourist seasons
Upgrading and redevelopment of the education centre/library at Eikwe
Local crafts activity and community development work
Fundraising events, links with international schools, local craft designs etc
We encourage volunteers to be proactive and are happy to discuss any potential project or research ideas you may have prior to arrival.
Requirements
Volunteers should be 20 years old and over. Must be able to walk long distances in hot, humid weather (sometimes rain) and be capable of carrying out manual work in all conditions. No specific skills are needed, but those with previous experience of sea turtle monitoring, conservation work, community development projects etc. would be particularly useful, as well as those who are self-motivated, as you will get more out of the project if you are. We are also looking for volunteers who can take their own initiative, who don't always need to be told what to do, and who work well in a team. The project will especially appeal to those with an interest in marine biology and/or costal ecology. Anyone with additional skills, such as arts and creativity, languages and education are especially welcome.
Have basic/good knowledge of English
Flexibility to adapt to changing schedules as required & able to adapt to work night-shifts and sleep during the day.
Be willing to work under instructions as a team member.
Volunteers need to support themselves financially throughout their stay and are responsible for making their own travel and insurance arrangements. (Accommodation plus 3 meals a day is included in the price)
Airport pickup can be arranged (250GHC).
Any health problem must be made clear before making any application.
Benefits/Costs
Benefits/Costs Include:
Food (3 cooked meals a day)
Housing (In shared rooms for volunteers at Basecamp)
In-country orientation/training and staff support
The cost for a 4 week period is 600 GBP (675 EURO/ 925USD) which covers all project costs, including 3 meals a day, (inc. tea, coffee, and drinking water) accommodation, and all training and supervision by Project Managers and Research Assistants. Internet and phones are available through a local sim card service provider.
Volunteers are required to have their own travel insurance
Any other expenses, such as flights or other transportation costs are covered by the volunteers
Additional Contact Information
To apply please send a cv/resume and letter of interest/or for more information please contact Volunteer Coordinator at wildseasvolunteer@gmail.com
Volunteer info pack and application forms can also be downloaded from the WILDSEAS website below
WEBSITE: www.wildseas.org/Wildseas/Welcome.html
FACEBOOK : www.facebook.com/groups/143904539058657/ and http://www.facebook.com/projectkawula